Al-Hilal's first football team is preparing for a tough and highly anticipated match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE, as part of the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. In a tactical move aimed at rotating players and maintaining team vitality, Italian coach Simone Inzaghi has decided to reinstate three key players to the starting lineup to compensate for the recent significant absences that have plagued the "Leaders" squad.

Forced and tactical changes in defense and goalkeeping

The starting lineup for the match features significant changes in defense, with Inzaghi opting to start goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie in goal for Al-Hilal. This decision aims to give Moroccan international Yassine Bounou a rest, as part of the coach's rotation policy to avoid fatigue amidst the congested schedule of domestic and continental matches. On the defensive side, Spanish defender Pablo Mari returns to the starting eleven to replace Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly, who is sidelined with an injury. This places a heavy responsibility on Mari to lead the back line against the Emirati team's attack.

Nunez leads the attack in Benzema's absence

Up front, Uruguayan star Darwin Núñez returns to lead Al Hilal's attack from the first minute. Núñez's return comes at a crucial time to compensate for the significant absence of French striker Karim Benzema, who has been sidelined with an injury. Coach Inzaghi and Al Hilal fans are counting heavily on Núñez's goal-scoring prowess and his disruptive movement to unlock Shabab Al Ahli Dubai's defense and secure the points.

The list of absences and the leader's challenges

Al-Hilal enters this match missing several key players, making the task even more difficult. In addition to the absence of Karim Benzema and Kalidou Koulibaly, the team's captain and star player, Salem Al-Dawsari, is also sidelined due to injury. These absences present the coaching staff with a real challenge in finding the right combination to compensate for the technical shortfall and maintain the team's upward trajectory.

The importance of the match in the continental context

This match is of particular importance as it comes at a crucial stage of the AFC Champions League group stage, the most prestigious club competition in Asia. Al-Hilal aims to ensure the full readiness of all its players through these changes, as the team aspires to advance towards winning the continental title, capitalizing on the depth of its squad and the presence of big names, despite the surrounding circumstances and injuries.

Al-Hilal's first-team training session on Sunday was marked by the absence of Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, as the team prepares for a crucial match in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. The training session took place at the Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Stadium in the UAE, in anticipation of the upcoming game.

Yassine Bounou’s absence from the training session and from the squad for the upcoming match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai was due to a technical decision aimed at resting him, as the technical staff, led by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, seeks to implement a policy of rotating players to avoid physical exhaustion, especially in light of the succession of matches and the fierce competition that “Al-Zaeem” is engaged in on all local and continental fronts.

With the absence of the "Atlas Lion," it is widely expected that goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie will be the first choice to protect Al-Hilal's goal during their Asian Champions League match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai. This match presents a crucial opportunity for Al-Rubaie to demonstrate his technical and physical readiness, and to prove the ability of Al-Hilal's bench to compensate for the absence of key players during critical moments.

Al-Hilal enters this match with very high morale, buoyed by its recent positive results. The team achieved a resounding victory in its last match in the Roshan Professional League, defeating Al-Akhdoud 6-0 at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Stadium. This impressive win reflects the team's formidable attacking prowess, but the Asian challenge also demands defensive solidity and a stellar goalkeeping performance.

The AFC Champions League group stage is of paramount importance to Al Hilal, who always strive to extend their record as the most decorated club in Asia. The group stage is crucial for securing a strong finish, which facilitates their progress in the knockout rounds. Therefore, the decision to rest Bono is part of a strategic plan to keep the team's stars fresh for the more decisive stages of the season.

It's worth noting that Yassine Bounou has been a cornerstone of Al-Hilal's lineup since joining, contributing significantly to numerous victories thanks to his crucial saves and extensive international experience. However, the coaching staff's confidence in backup goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie reflects the depth of Al-Hilal's squad and its ability to adapt to various circumstances and absences.

Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa, manager of Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, stressed the difficulty of the upcoming match that will bring his team together with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, as part of the seventh round of the group stage of the AFC Champions League, praising the enormous technical capabilities of the opponent.

In the pre-match press conference, Souza made statements that reflected his great respect for the opponent, saying: "We are about to face a team the size of Al-Hilal, which is led by a world-class coach like Simone Inzaghi. He is a coach who has proven his competence in Italy and achieved everything that can be achieved there, in addition to reaching the Champions League final twice, which reflects his winning mentality and his great experience in big matches.".

Souza added, referring to Al-Hilal's achievements under Inzaghi's leadership: "This coach led Al-Hilal to a historic victory over Manchester City in the Club World Cup, and he currently sits atop the Saudi League and the Asian Champions League standings, making the task ahead a significant challenge for us." He concluded by emphasizing the club's technical and administrative stability and its continued pursuit of further success and the Asian Champions League title.

The importance of confronting the Asian elite

This match holds special significance as it is part of the newly revamped AFC Champions League, which brings together the strongest clubs in Asia. Matches between Saudi Arabia and the UAE are always considered a "Gulf derby," characterized by intense rivalry and passionate fan support, with each team striving to assert its regional dominance and secure a place in the knockout stages.

artistic and historical context

Sousa's statements come at a time when Al-Hilal is enjoying a period of great technical stability, with the Saudi team becoming a perennial favorite to win the continental title thanks to its star-studded squad and accumulated experience in international tournaments. Meanwhile, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai is looking to prove its worth among the continent's elite, capitalizing on the expertise of its Portuguese coach, Paulo Sousa, who boasts a distinguished coaching career in European leagues. This sets the stage for a tactical clash between the Italian and Portuguese schools of football on Asian soil.

This match is a pivotal moment in both teams' journey towards the title, as winning it not only means securing the three points, but also sends a strong message to the other competitors about their readiness to compete for the most prestigious cup in the continent.